Proposed BLM oil, gas auction in UT stirs protests

MOAB, Utah (AP) -- Federal land managers' proposal to offer up to 28 parcels of public land for potential oil and gas leasing at a February auction is stirring protests from some Grand County residents.

Opponent Kiley Miller says wide-open vistas of an area world renowned for its red rock beauty would be spoiled by oil and gas development.

She also told the Deseret News that water wells feeding an organic farm and subdivisions in the Lisbon Valley south of Moab are at risk if natural gas extraction takes place.

But Bureau of Land Management officials say none of the parcels proposed for leasing overlap aquifers, and Lisbon Valley is no stranger to industrial development.

The BLM is accepting public comments until Oct. 19 on the proposed offering, which involves 51,693 acres.

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